Dump the Past
Dump the Past!
It is the new year! A time for new beginnings, restarts and change. I have written about new year’s resolutions in the past and yet each trip around the sun brings new ideas.
Prior blog posts about new year's resolutions:
Goals Need Time
Resolution To Do Less
Its OK to Be Unhappy
Make New Year's Resolutions Like a Child
Last November, I cleared out my basement and garage after five years of accumulating "stuff". I went through the kitchen and purged things I don't use. I donated clothes and shoes from my closet that I don't wear or won't wear. It felt good to clear and donate what was in good condition and trash what wasn't. I recycled every page of notes from three years of law school and all 12 bar exam prep books.
Decluttering, purging, clearing - whatever you call it - helps me feel better. Before the new year gets too busy I am going to keep looking for things to clear. My newest idea is to donate cookbooks. I bought two "new" ones at 1/2 price books and am really excited about them. The ones I don't use make me feel guilty so they have to go. I am also going to donate "hosting" items. Wine glasses, platters, and serving bowls don't get used because my house isn't big enough to have big gatherings - so, donation bin. I have a hard time parting with them because "maybe" I'll need them. But if someone else can enjoy them and it clears my cupboards and my guilt - donation bin.
Last year I did mostly paleo diet because of chronic inflammation and I did 45 days of Whole 30 from October 1 to Thanksgiving. After the holidays, I was in a terrible, guilt-ridden food rut because I had limited a long list of ingredients that make meals pleasurable. I would look at a recipe and say "nope" or "yup" based on whether the ingredients complied with a diet. After telling myself that I can eat in moderation, I gave myself the ok to pick a recipe that sounded good to eat.
I've decided that I'm not going to make decisions based on the past. Below are a few examples I would like you to think about.
Invite a friend out for coffee even if they said no in the past
Ask for a raise even if you were told no in the past
Co-parent with your ex even if he/she was manipulative in the past
Try online dating even if you had a bad experience in the past
Visit a family member even if they offended you in the past
Be polite to a colleague even if they hurt your feelings in the past
People change. Circumstances change. Past behavior doesn't always predict future behavior. It is a new year. Step out of your comfort zone and embrace a fresh start.
